# Next Shuttle Names **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 2, 2003, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-shuttle-names/152313 "2003-02-02T16:12:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Drew\_Blade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/958977/32.png) [@Drew\_Blade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drew_Blade)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2003, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-shuttle-names/152313/81 "2003-02-04T14:59:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TwungTister \* > \*\*Space Shuttle **Explosion** or **Spacy** \*\* The two I heard (obviously these are jokes, people) are the **Space Shuttle Disaster** and the **Firebolt**. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2003, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-shuttle-names/152313/82 "2003-02-04T15:22:18Z")
If you must have a cool-sounding noun I’d suggest “Alacrity.” Look it up. But I can’t believe we’re this far into the thread and nobody’s suggested just going with great scientists and astronomers: - Galileo - Copernicus - Newton - Tycho Brahe - Einstein - Rutherford - Franklin - Watt - Edison What’s wrong with scientists’ names? ---
**Author:** ![Kilt-wearin\_man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/82dd89/32.png) [@Kilt-wearin\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilt-wearin_man)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2003, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-shuttle-names/152313/83 "2003-02-04T15:38:32Z")
_Grissom_ wouldn’t be bad (in fact, I think Gus would be proud), but it doesn’t fit the stated naming convention, which is “significant historic sailing ships used for exploration.” _Nautilus_ and _Calypso_ are, in my opinion, brilliant choices. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2003, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-shuttle-names/152313/84 "2003-02-04T16:05:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RickJay \* > \*\*If you must have a cool-sounding noun I’d suggest “Alacrity.” Look it up. \*\* You’re not a [Brian Daley](http://www.scifan.com/series/series.asp?SR_seriesid=1362) fan by any chance, are you? Best name: **Indomitable** Worst name: **Icarus** ---
**Author:** ![manwithaplan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@manwithaplan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manwithaplan)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2003, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-shuttle-names/152313/85 "2003-02-04T16:54:35Z")
If your going to go for a polar exploration vessel, one of the greatest was Nansen’s and subsequently Amundsen’s ship, **Fram**. Unfortunately, in keeping with the Norwegians’ efficient and no fuss approach to polar exploration, it doesn’t sound very heroic or inspiring. My vote would be for a joint sponsorship from Ford and the publishers of a jazzmag - you could call it the **Escort** or **Fiesta**. ---
**Author:** ![gonzoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@gonzoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzoron)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2003, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-shuttle-names/152313/86 "2003-02-04T20:41:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mighty\_maxx \* > \*\*I like Magellan, or Ericson…I like the idea of useing famous explorers. \*\* I know what you meant, but my mind read that as “Ericsson” which conjured up scary images of the future: I give you the worst possibly named Orbiter fleet: **3COM** **Nextel** **Enron** **Microsoft** and of course… **Taco Bell** “ **Pespi** you are clear for landing…” Seriously, I say wait until the Cosmo/Astronauts are dead to start using their names. I like the Freedom/Liberty/etc idea. Or here’s one fanboy’s dream: **Verne** , **Asimov** , **Heinlein** , **Herbert** , **Roddenberry**? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2003, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-shuttle-names/152313/87 "2003-02-04T21:27:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jr8 \* > \*\*You’re not a [Brian Daley](http://www.scifan.com/series/series.asp?SR_seriesid=1362) fan by any chance, are you? \*\* Never heard of the gentleman. I just like the word. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-shuttle-names/152313/88 "2003-02-05T00:20:31Z")
BTW no reason a space shuttle should not be named after a currently-serving vessel of another type that shares a “historic exploratory vessel” name. Or _even_ a currently afloat but _decommissioned_ vessel (e.g. Calypso) . OTOH, new _types_ of reusable crew-carrying spacecraft (a SSTO, a TSTSO, an OSP, or a shuttle significantly different from the Enterprise-class) could have entirely different class-naming conventions. For instance **Chandeleur** ’s _Reliance_-class; the series of major astronomers/cosmologists; the Apollo callsigns. Please, though, no letting Congress condition funding on naming one of them after some _living_ retired politician. ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Ellis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@Michael\_Ellis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Ellis)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-shuttle-names/152313/89 "2003-02-05T00:29:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JRDelirious \* > \*\*Please, though, no letting Congress condition funding on naming one of them after some _living_ retired politician. \*\* John Glenn perhaps being an exception. ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Ellis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@Michael\_Ellis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Ellis)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-shuttle-names/152313/90 "2003-02-05T00:32:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Shirley Ujest \* > \*\*In honor of Drake and Ilon Ramon, how about a twist on an old name: > > \*\*Bagel \*\* \*\* Nah, that’s what an escape capsule should be called. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-shuttle-names/152313/91 "2003-02-05T01:04:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gonzoron \* > **Or here’s one fanboy’s dream: > Roddenberry?** Please – not until Majel dies. She’s already insufferable as it is. ---
**Author:** ![Scruloose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@Scruloose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scruloose)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-shuttle-names/152313/92 "2003-02-05T01:10:35Z")
There are some fantastic ideas put forth in this thread. My favorite candidates culled from the responses are:[ul] [li]Eagle[/li][li]Constitution[/li][li]Endurance[/li][li]Phoenix[/li][li]Dauntless[/li][li]Falcon[/li][li]Perseverence[/li][li]Vanguard[/li][li]Independence[/li][/ul] Honorable mentions go to:[ul] [li]Bob[/li][li]Elvis[/li][li]Cromulent[/li][li]The Bed Bath and Beyond[/li][/ul] I have no doubt that the good folks at NASA are regular readers here at the SDMB, and undoubtedly, one of you has set in motion their next craft naming scheme. > [@](#): > > For instance Chandeleur’s Reliance-class You must be in or were in to know what class those were, right? ---
**Author:** ![Kakkerlak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bb73d2/32.png) [@Kakkerlak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kakkerlak)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-shuttle-names/152313/93 "2003-02-05T01:58:58Z")
The names I’d love to hear crackling over the Houston radio are: _ **Endurance** _ (for Shackleton, who is all the rage these days) _ **Beagle** _ (screw the silliness, it was Darwin !) _ **Liberty** _ (A class of cheap but vital WWII ships, also one of our remaining NYC landmarks) _ **Essex** _ (Okay, so they “discovered” you should be nicer to sperm whales). _ **Voyager** _ (for the round-the-world airplane) _ **Calypso** _ (for Cousteau and to fill the “C” in the roster) I just want to see the next launch of a new shuttle “… and we have liftoff … of STS-122 Space Shuttle _Liberty_” ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-shuttle-names/152313/94 "2003-02-05T02:38:22Z")
I prefer _ **Cousteau** _ to _ **Calypso** _. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-shuttle-names/152313/95 "2003-02-05T05:54:26Z")
New Shuttle on the Block ‘Nshuttle BoomTown Hal Ol’ Sparky Greyhound (hey, it’s sposed to be a space bus) The Pete Rose (always a gambler) ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-shuttle-names/152313/96 "2003-02-05T09:16:27Z")
_Athena_ after the Greek goddess. _The Golden Hind_ One of Sir Francis Drake’s ships. _Prometheus_ the Greek god. _McShuttle_ (Sponsored by McDonald’s) _Kennedy_ after all, it was JFK who gave the space program its big push _DeForrest_ after DeForrest Kelly _SoJourner_ after the Civil Rights activist and Mars robot _Independance_ in honor of the Declaration of Independance _Forlorn Hope_ (what most of us feel about our chances of getting off this rock) ---
**Author:** ![Sock\_Munkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Sock\_Munkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sock_Munkey)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-shuttle-names/152313/97 "2003-02-05T19:16:26Z")
There are plans being made to send a probe beneath the ice of Jupiter’s moon Europa to find ot if there is water and possibly life under the ice. I think the name Cousteau should be reserved for that. In the movie Lifeforce (where Mathilda May runs around topless most of the time) one of the shuttles was named Churchill. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-shuttle-names/152313/98 "2003-02-05T20:55:05Z")
> [@](#): > > There are plans being made to send a probe beneath the ice of Jupiter’s moon Europa to find ot if there is water and possibly life under the ice. I think the name Cousteau should be reserved for that. I think _Cousteau_ is too good a name for a disposable ship. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-shuttle-names/152313/99 "2003-02-06T01:57:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Chandeleur \* > \*\* > You must be in or were in to know what class those were, right? \*\* _Almost_ was in. Was a huge (and now somewhat moderate) maritime militaria aficionado. ---
**Author:** ![Edwardina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Edwardina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edwardina)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-shuttle-names/152313/100 "2003-02-06T04:21:51Z")
I like **The Cromulent** and **SpaceBob Shuttlepants**. And **Elvis** is just too good to pass up. “Elvis has left orbit.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-shuttle-names/152313.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-shuttle-names/152313.md?page=6)